Page 53 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

The silence that settled down in the room wafted the suspicion in Violette’s soul. Her eyes flew to Dante just in time as his fingers reached a vial with the periwinkle juice and before he could take it she hit his hand with the spoon.

He grumbled, shooting her a glare with a question.

“It's my area of work, so there my rules apply,” she declared.

“You could just say.” He raised his brows and the rigorous crossed his face again.

“That would be no fun,” she said smugly and continued to stir the potion.

Her fingers pulled one and a half of the cloudlet pillows. The little pink puffs dissolved in the dark liquid and the potion changed its shade once again, this time to a dark periwinkle.

“So you do it not only because it's your work?” Dante expressed.

She questioningly raised her eyes to him. “What do you mean?”

“I thought you make potions only because you are paid for it, not because you actually…like it.”

Violette stirred the potion once again, pondering.

“I love brewing potions. Don't you have something you like to do?”

Dante glanced at her with a mysterious smile.

“Except following witches to their place of work and making deals with them,” she added teasingly.

Dante parted his lips. “How did you know?”

She blew a chuckle. “No, really. Do you have something like a hobby?” She looked at him once again, while he seemed to think about her question .

“No,” he finally replied.

“I don't believe you.”

“Everything I liked was left in my human life,” he said and pushed off the table to leave. This time his voice sounded frigid and gruff. Violette felt like the distance between them stretched again. The carefree atmosphere evaporated and the cold set in the room instead.

“Are you sure it will be ready before the ball?” he asked.

“Yes. It has to stay overnight. In the morning I'll go to the river and then I'll finish the potion.”

Dante thoughtfully nodded.

“Good,” he said but instead of leaving as he intended he suddenly turned around.

“Lastly,” he added, throwing something in her direction. “Take this. If something goes wrong.”

She caught the little object – a little vial with pink liquid, almost lilac color. She recognized what it was.

“What is it?” A question escaped her mouth, confusion swept over her face.

“I thought you were an expert in potions,” he taunted. “A love potion.”

“I know. But why? You want me to use it on the Lord?”

He sighed and crossed the room. “You want to get to the trophy room? If so, that's what will make him do anything for you.”

“You think I can't charm him? ”

“Well…” His hands crossed over his solid chest, eyes rolled, lips slanting in a weak smirk.

“Really?” she spat, offended. “You think I can't pull a man without a magic spell? If I don’t have a boyfriend that doesn't mean I can't flirt or I can't be interesting.”

That was a lie, she didn't know how to flirt and it was making her nervous but she wouldn't let him humiliate her like that. She believed she was a pleasant person to be around and she could befriend the young lord without any potion, especially such a pathetic one.

“Prove it,” he suddenly voiced.

She went still. “What?”

“Prove it. Imagine I'm your target and you have to seduce me. Go on.”

“I won't do it,” she frowned.

“So you can't prove it then?”

“I…I–Oh, you're such a menace!” Her teeth bit into her lower lip.

“Did somebody tell you that it's so hard to even stay in one room with you?” She drew a step, her brows furrowed.

“You're so ignorant, and selfish. And thinking about yourself so highly, just like any arrogant nobleman. It's getting old, Dante. You’re no better than Lord Adrogans.”

He kept his eyes on her with an unbothered smile.

“Tell me, how is it to be that careless? How is it when nobody even crosses your mind?” She stalked closer, leaning forward.

“I didn't say nobody is crossing my mind, Little Witch,” he paused. “I just ignore it.”

“And who are you thinking about?” she nearly whispered. A deep breath escaped her lungs as her lips turned out to be close to his face, her eyes radiating boldness.

He straightened up.

“Does it really matter? You just said I am arrogant and selfish, didn't you?”

“Maybe, I believe there's something else in you.” The line between her brows weakened as her lips slightly parted. Her chest heaved, almost touching his with the last words.

“Then you're just wasting your time,” he said with a faded smile. “You know, girls like you, who believe and see the best in people usually get trapped in bad situations.”

“I'm already in one,” she breathed slowly, air hot against his skin. Just inches away from his face.

His gaze was no less intense and he was about to open his mouth but then he almost closed it, leaving a barely visible gap.

Violette's eyes left his and slid to his lips in the shadow of his mask, lingering on them just for a few seconds. He did the same, the muscle in his jaw twitched. And then his eyes got back to hers.

“Not bad.” The corners of his mouth curled into a satisfied smile, shoulders loosening. “Hope that guy will be even more easy prey.”

Violette beamed, leaving, she finally proved him something. She hadn't remembered the last time she was that proud of herself.